New Ulm weekly review., 1887-11-23
THE! Z AR MY.

TIE ARMY.
Cen. Sherldan's Annual Report,
Containing Points Of Especial In
terest to People OF the Northwest.
Washington. Special Telegram, Nov. Is.
I'm his annualreport issued to-day, Lieut..
Gen. Sheridan, referring to the trouble on
the Crow reservation in Montana, saws:
The agent, from the best iDformat tion
that l have, while an honorable, well
meaning man, is not very well calcula ted
to deal with wild Indians, being somewha
arbitrary and domineering and in his en-
deavor to esta blish discipline, attempted to
enforce his power without giving the In
dians chance to cool Of after their in
dulgences. As might have been expected.
from people OF their character, resistance
was Immediately threatened. Reports of
the trouble having reached Washington, I,
alter consulting with the secretary OF the
interior. went to st. Paul, intending. if
necessary, to continue on to Fort Custer.
but, receiving a full report OF the circum-
stances from Gen. Ruger, the department
commander, did not deem my personal
intervention necessary, but instead di-
rected him to proceed to the scene OF trouble
and assemble there such force that their
numbers alone would overawe the malcon-
tents and render resistance impossible.
This has been done, and, as those directly
concerned in The trouble are only II in
number, 1 anticipate no difficulty in their
subjugation. Gen. Ruger will cause the In
dians who have taken principal part in
this affair to be arrested, and to
further quiet restless young men
amongfthemI authorized him to enlist
about thirty OF their number as scouts
and take them to Fort Custer The Crows
have always been friendly and make it a
boast that they have never killed a white
man, and it would be great pity if any
thing should now occur to disturb the
peaceful relations OF so long standing;
and am,confdent that Gen. Ruger will be
able to effect q permanent settlement that
will be satisfactory,to tho Crows, as well
as to ourselves.
sGONCENT RATING TROOPS.
Gen. Sheridan says OF the proposed con.
centration OF troops:
The extension Of railroads throughout
the division which has suddenly pro-
crossed during the year will bring some
posts that were formerly supplied
with difficulty and expense with.
in easy reach. and will also obviate the ne
cessiry for longer retaining some OF the
smaller garrisons. In pursura nee OF this
theory, the policy ofconcen trating into lar
ger posts in the vicinity OF railroad centers
has Tor several years been advocated, and
many minor positions now retained only
because they afford a shelter for the troops
not as yet provided for elsewhere will be
abandoned as soon as accommodat ations
can be obtained at the regimental posts
in the near future. The work in
the now posts at Denver, where
it is proposed to place ten COM
panies, will shortly be commenced. That
at San Antonio has been progressing
favorably during the year. The ground
for the new post near Chicago will pass
into the possession of the government at
an early day. At Fort Smelling both the
reservation and other attendants condi-
tions are favorable for the esta ablishment of
large garrison, and only some additional
buildings are required for their accom-.
modation. The reconstruction of Fort
Riley has been actively prosecuted during
the year, but before it can be completed
additional appropria tions will be neces.
sary.
SOME GENERAL MATTERS.
From tho report it appears that
at the date Of the last consolidated
returns the army consisted OF
1900 officers and 24,236 men,
including Indian scouts. The lieutenant
general briefly sums up the condition OF
the various divisions OF the army, and Of
the division of the Missouri says:
While it has been free from Indian hos
tilities Of any magnitude many operations
OF a minor nature have been rendered nee.
essary. Troops have been continually oc-
cupied in patrolling the Oklahoma country
and have been successful in keeping intrud-
ers out OF that region. The gradual spread
OF railroads throughout the territory can,
however, ultimately have but one effect,
and am now Of opinion that congress
may we'll consider the advisabili of open
ing up portions at least of this
country to settlement. The general re.
views the difficulties arising in Aaguse last
in Colorado near, the Uncompahgre In
dian reservation, and their formulation
through the intercesson OF Lieut.. Burnette
with a small detachment OF the Ninth
cavalry.
Gen. Sheridan does not look iavorably
upon the proposition of Gen. Miles to
separate the Indians now at San Carlos in
to several camps. about 100 or 200 miles
apart, deeming it for the best interests OF
Arizona and OF the Indians themselves
that they should be kept in one body, and
the duties necessary for their control con.
centratcd at a single point.
"Divided into different bands, F" he says,
each location might become the center of
disturbances, and the difficulties of their
supervision would be greatly increased"
INCREASED DEsERT1oNs.
The general expresses regret at the fact
OF a slight increase in the number OF de-.
sertions during the year, and sees no rem
edy for it. He looks favorably on the
new plan OF monthly payments. He says:
The recruiting service has enlisted an in.
creased number OF good mon. Discipline is
good. The artillery, infantry and cavalry
schools are reported to be doing good work
and the army has greatly improved in rifle
practice. The general renews his recon-.
incubation that 5000 mon be added to
the army and that two majors and two
captains be added to each infantry regi.
! ment. He recommends the appointment
OF a board to frame revised tactics TO
meet the changes in handling men occa-
stoned by changes in the methods OF war.
The general urges rs a measure highly pro-
motive OF efficiency heretirement OF about
eighty old officers who are unfit for duty,
but whose retention on the active list en-.
tails additional work on the men who are
at the same time withheld from promotion
therehv The finoo ie MOO Of hor ~ bo,, 4 I,o